This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder Mark’s account of the transfiguration of Jesus. The text is in chapter nine, verses 2-9. The word “transfiguration” describes what happened to Jesus when he took three of his disciples up a high mountain. Jesus son of Mary, Jesus of the line of King David, Jesus the […]
Rabbi, it’s good for us to be here Read More »
I can summarize my response in three words. But before I get into that, I have to say I’d like to hear what law enforcement officers, whether police. Immigration, or local council – and lawmakers – think of the movie. Now for my three words of response. The words are: sad, angry, and pleased. First,
My response to Abang Adik, the movie with rave reviews Read More »
This Sunday the lectionary invites us to reflect on Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, on his acts to liberate many people from diseases and demons, and on the first sign of disconnect between him and his hand-picked disciples. The text is in the gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses 29-39. As I pointed out
Did demons ‘get’ Jesus better than his disciples? Read More »
I was in the midst of my training session at the gym last evening, when it suddenly dawned on me. I finally see it. I finally know. The realization came over me and I was overwhelmed by the truth. How strong my Lord was. How strong my Lord was, in his fully human form, to
Epiphany at the Gym Read More »
This Sunday the lectionary invites us to ponder a time when Jesus commanded an unclean spirit to leave a man. The text is in the first chapter of the gospel according to Mark, in verses 21 to 28 (Mark 1:21-28). Mark begins his account of the life of Jesus by speaking of John Baptist, a
Have you come to destroy us? Read More »
This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to discuss a passage which the English Standard Version translation of the Bible breaks into two parts. It supplies the first part with the heading: “Jesus begins his ministry” and the second part with the heading “Jesus calls the first disciples.” The text is in the Gospel of Mark,
I will make you fishers of men Read More »
This Sunday the lectionary invites us to discuss the first time Jesus said the words “follow me,” in John’s Gospel. The passage is John 1:43-51. As I explained in my column titled “Jesus, light of the world,” John’s gospel is very different from the other gospels. It begins with a tapestry in which the motifs
What did Jesus see under the fig tree? Read More »
2023 has whizzed by. In a flash, the year has come and gone. What was 2023 like for you? What were your highs and lows? For me, if I could describe 2023 in one word, it’s unrelenting. For me, 2023 was a year of unrelenting challenges. There were so many upheavals personally. And towards the
Does God speak to us in 2024? Read More »
In my last column, I answered the question “Why didn’t Matthew hide the astrologers?” In it, I said that the visit of the astrologers, often called “wise men” or “magi,” awakened “the jealous rage of a crazed ruler.” Here, I’ll expand on that crazed ruler. He’s known to history as Herod the Great. He was
Just how bad was Herod the Great? Read More »
Click the arrow above to listen to an audio recording of this column. This Saturday, the lectionary invites us to reflect on the passage to which the English Standard Version supplies the title “The Visit of the Wise Men.” It’s found in the Gospel according to Matthew, 2:1-12. Matthew begins his gospel with the words
Why didn’t Matthew hide the Astrologers? Read More »
